Tarantulas (BW)/toys

Originally, Tarantulas shared a mold with Blackarachnia, but this is generally no longer true.

Toys

Beast Wars

Interested in getting hog-tied with spider-butt rope? (Takara / Hasbro "smooth bubble" version pictured)

• Tarantulas (Deluxe, 1996/1997)

• Takara name: Tarans
• Takara ID number: D-4
• Accessories: Launcher, 4 spider-leg missiles
• Known designers: Takio Ejima (TakaraTomy), Masakatsu Saito (TakaraTomy)

Part of the first wave of Beast Wars product, Tarantulas transforms into an organic generic spider (not a tarantula). His abdomen contains a spring-loaded missile launcher, which fires the anchor-missile kept in his spider-butt. This missile is attached by a string so he can hang from things like a real spider (perfect for pulling pranks). The launcher can be removed and used as a robot mode weapon, using any of his front four spider-legs as missiles. Like all early Deluxe-and-up Beast Wars toys, he has two different robot mode "heads"; a robotic face and a "mutant" face, the latter of which was formed by flipping his helmet over the front of his robot face. He is almost always depicted using the mutant face.

The original Tarantulas...es... shipped on cards with "rocky"-shaped bubbles. Later (and more numerous) assortments moved to a smooth, rounded bubble, leading the first packaging type to become sought-after collectibles on the secondary market. This is also the source of a toy variant: smooth-bubble Tarantulaseseses lack yellow paint on the elbows found on the rocky-bubble samples. Speaking of packaging, Tarantulas's stock photography on the cardbacks showed him as being mainly transparent orange plastic rather than the transparent purple of the finalized toy.

The Takara release of Tarantulas was originally identical to the Hasbro smooth-bubble release, missing elbow-paint and all. In January 1998, a slightly color-altered version was released, using a brighter shade of green and a slightly darker gray. The color-altered version also replaced the blue eyes on the "robot" head and the black eyes of the "mutant" head with gold.

This mold was used to make the first Blackarachnia toy.

• More information on Tarantulas at TFU.info

The classic battle of dino vs spider. We've all heard the tale.

• Kyōbō no Taiketsu: Dinobot VS Tarans (VS pack, 1997)

• ID number: VS-4
• Release date: July ??, 1997
• Accessories: Launcher, 4 spider-leg missiles

In Japan, "Tarans" was available both as an individual and in a "Ferocious Showdown" (凶暴の対決 Kyōbō no Taiketsu) two-pack with "Dinobot". Both toys in this set were identical to their individual releases.

Both the original toy and Takara's later "more show-like" redeco of Tarantulas was released via this VS set.^[1]

• Maximal Orcanoch Micro Playset (Playset, 1997)

In Europe, the Beast Wars-branded MicroVerse playsets (see below) were released solely as Beast Wars/Biocombat (English/Spanish/Italian packaging) or Beast Wars/Ani Mutants (French/Dutch/German packaging) products.

This release is entirely identical to the US MicroVerse release of the toy, aside from the packaging and the branding.

I'm-a spawn of-a Unicron! I-a slice-a ya pizza!

• Tarantulas (Deluxe Transmetal, 1998)

• Takara name: Metals Tarans
• Takara ID number: D-44
• Accessories: Sawblade weapon

Part of the first assortment of Deluxe Transmetals, Tarantulas transforms into a robotic spider. He also has a third "transport" mode, flipping down a wheel from his abdomen and a saw-blade from under his beast-head, making a spidey-cycle. The saw detaches for robot mode to become a hand-held weapon.

The Japanese version of "Metals Tarans", released in September 1999, is slightly different, replacing the "TARANTULAS" tampograph with "DESTRON" and the Predacon sigil, plus his robot mode eyes are painted as a single visor to match the show look better.

• More information on Transmetal Tarantulas at TFU.info

It's like Eight Legged Freaks, but classier, and with a pizza cutter.

• Tarantulas (Deluxe Transmetal, 1999)

• Accessories: Sawblade weapon

Transmetal Tarantulas toy was later redecoed in grays, silver, and black, as part of the second wave of "Fox Kids" toys, so called for the advertisements for the Fox channel on the packaging (as the Beast Wars cartoon had moved there from syndication). Internal Hasbro documents have listed this toy as "Steel Force Tarantulas",^[2] a name that did not make it to final packaging.

These colors were used to depict Tarantulas in the Primeval Dawn and Universe comics. This toy was also later repurposed as Tarantulas's Shattered Glass counterpart. With the toy's limited availability, its secondary-market asking price is kind of up there, thanks to its use in the BotCon fiction.

• More information on Fox Kids Tarantulas at TFU.info

• Gōriki no Taiketsu: Metals Rhinox VS Metals Tarans (VS set, 1999)

• ID number: VS-44
• Release date: September ??, 1999
• Accessories: Sawblade weapon

In Takara's Metals line, "Metals Tarans" was also available in a "Strength Showdown" (剛力の対決 Gōriki no Taiketsu) VS set with Transmetal Rhinox. Both toys are identical to their individual releases.

MicroVerse

I'm not The Thing, I swear!

• Maximal Orcanoch Micro Playset (Playset, 1997)

• Series: Beast Wars: Transformers
• Known designers: Takio Ejima (TakaraTomy)

A small, non-transforming micro-figure of Tarantulas came with the MicroVerse Orcanoch playset. It was presumably painted based on the original design, as its upper body is copper rather than purple. Its only articulation is at the waist, letting it sit in any of the MicroVerse mini-vehicles or playset stations.

• More information on MicroVerse Tarantulas at TFU.info

Beast Wars 10th Anniversary

He's not here to help assemble Transmutate. That leg's his dinner.

• Predacon Tarantulus [sic] (Beast Wars 10th Anniversary, 2006)

• Accessories: Launcher, 4 spider-leg missiles
• Known designers: Marcelo Matere (packaging artist)

This toy is a slight redeco of the original Tarantulas toy, more closely resembling Tarantulas's appearance in the cartoon (save the big Predacon faction sigil tampograph). Part of the second wave of Beast Wars 10th Anniversary product, he came with a DVD of the episode "Spider's Game", plus the left leg to Trans-Mutate.

This release of Tarantulus has misassembled forearm/claws, which can be easily swapped to the correct position due to the ball jointed elbows. Due to trademark, his packaging renders his name as Tarantulus.

• More information on 10th Anniversary Tarantulas at TFU.info

Timelines

Everyone's second-favorite purple-and-yellow motorcycle two-Mini-Con-having servant of Unicron.

• Tarantulas (Deluxe, 2015)

• Accessories: Axe

Part of the third Transformers Figure Subscription Service, Timelines Tarantulas is a redeco of United Scrapheap, itself a retool of Transformers: Reveal the Shield Deluxe Class Wreck-Gar with a new head. He turns into a motorcycle. The toy is meant to represent his pre-Beast Wars appearance. The toy also comes with two Arachnoids that can be pegged into his left and right arms. The Arachnoids have paint applications that allow them to resemble Tarantulas' in-show claws.

When first revealed at BotCon 2014, the toy's color was different from the final release's appearance. The toy was lighter colored (including the Arachnoids), his mouthplate was green, and his arms were entirely colored green, among many other differences.

• More information on Tarantulas on TFU.info

Combiner Wars

*Insert Spider-tank related caption here*

• Dawn of the Predacus (Multi-pack, 2016)

• Accessories: Claw weapon, Combiner Foot/Hand

A retool of Combiner Wars Deluxe Class Rook, "Predacon Tarantulas" features a new head, with both it and the figure's deco being based on his Transmetal form. Tarantulas transforms into an armored reconnissance vehicle; reminiscent to a Type 87 ARV. As a Combiner Wars Deluxe limb he is able to combine with any Voyager Class toys released as part of the same subline or any Unite Warriors Voyager Class figure or into one of Legends Godbomber's legs but is, of course, intended to be combined with Sea Clamp, Cicadacon, Ramhorn, and Ravage to create Predacus.

Rather than 5mm hands, Tarantulas has forward-facing 5mm ports in front of his fists. This allows him to mount his claw-like accessory as an integrated weapon or use Combiner Wars combiner hands (one of which is included) as giant "Hulk hands".

He was available exclusively at BotCon 2016 in the "Dawn of the Predacus" box set with Ravage, General Ramhorn, General Cicadacon, and General Sea Clamp.

• More information on Combiner Wars Tarantulas at TFU.info

Legacy

Stealing the surgical equipment from his wavemate.

• Predacon Tarantulas (Deluxe Class, 2022 / 2023)

• TakaraTomy ID number: TL-11
• TakaraTomy release date: November, 2022
• Accessories: Crossbow, buzzsaw
• Known designers: Mark Maher (Hasbro), Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy), Dennis Chan (sculptor)

Part of the second wave of Transformers: Legacy Deluxe Class toys, "Predacon Tarantulas" is a fairly cartoon-accurate version of the character, transforming into a realistically-shaped (if not realistically-colored) spider resembling a Lycosa tarantula (which is actually a species of wolf spider, not a true tarantula). His accessories include a (non-firing) crossbow similar to his original toy's weapon, and a (non-spinning) buzzsaw evoking his Transmetal design. He has a single Predacon faction symbol on his right thigh, which is only barely visible due to being a similar shade of purple to his plastic.

The ends of his spider-legs are sort of Fire Blast effect compatible; they're roughly the right diameter towards the midpoint of the "toes", but the rounded ends mean the effects need to be pushed down quite a bit to reach that point and the grip relies mainly on stretching the effects' attachment holes slightly, meaning some parts just don't want to stay on at all.

This figure was officially revealed by Hasbro on the April 12, 2022, Fan First Tuesday.

This figure was repackaged the following year for the sixth wave of Legacy Deluxes in Evolution-branded packaging. The figure itself has no notable changes.

Is this the Beast Wars equivalent of a Diaclone redeco?

• Prime Universe Cliffjumper VS Beast Wars Universe Tarantulas, G1 Universe Squeezeplay, Cyberverse Universe Tarn (Multi-pack, 2024)

• Accessories: Crossbow, buzzsaw
• Known designers: Mark Maher (Hasbro), Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)^[3]

"Beast Wars Universe Tarantulas" is a redeco and new-head retool of the aforementioned Legacy figure, in a primarily orange color scheme inspired by the prototype deco for the original 1996 Tarantulas toy. The figure's new head is based on the original Tarantulas mold's non-mutant robot face, but in contrast to the rest of the figure, it is painted based on Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Predacon Tarantulus. He retains the same two weapon accessories as the previous release. The instructions sheet indicates his name is spelled Tyrantulas.

Tarantulas was part of a Target-exclusive "Versus Multipacks" with Prime Universe Cliffjumper, G1 Universe Squeezeplay (with G1 Universe Lokos), and Cyberverse Universe Tarn.

Beast Wars Again

What was his Canon Event?

• Gyakushin no Taiketsu (Multi-pack, 2024)

• ID number: BWVS-06
• Release date: January 27, 2024
• Accessories: Crossbow, buzzsaw
• Known designers: Hisashi Yuki (TakaraTomy), Hidetsugu Yoshioka (packaging artist)

Released as part of the Beast Wars Again line, the "Treacherous Showdown" (逆心の対決) set contains Tarans and Dinobot. Tarans is a redeco of Legacy Tarantulas in more cartoon-accurate colors.

Merchandise

Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game

• Beast Wars Transformers Mutating Card Game (1997)

Tarantulas was one of the 24 beast warriors to receive a battle card representation for the Beast Wars card game.

Robot Heroes

Don't take your eyes off your mech fluid, Primal.

• Optimus Primal & Predacon Tarantulas (Two-pack, 2008)

• Known designers: Bill Rawley (Hasbro), Marcelo Matere (concept artist)

Part of the second wave of Universe Robot Heroes, this PVC figurine of Tarantulas' original body has articulation in the shoulders and neck. He was available only in a "Beast Wars Series" two-pack with Optimus Primal (amusingly enough, the Maximal he also came with in the MicroVerse Orcanoch playset).

• More information on Robot Heroes Tarantulas at TFU.info

Prime 1 Studio

• Megatron Transmetal 2 (2023)
  • ID Number: PMTFBW-03 / 03DXS (Deluxe)

Prime 1 Studio Premium Masterline Megatron Transmetal 2 is a highly detailed statue of Megatron's robot mode posing over a defeated Transmetal Tarantulas.

The regular release of the statue comes only with Tarantulas' intact upper body attached to the base. The Deluxe version, meanwhile, comes with an extra right arm for Megatron that is holding the decapitated head of Tarantulas and alternate body parts that replace Tarantulas' regular head with the internal mechanisms of his sliced neck.

Notes

Not terribly appealing.

• Tarantulas is referred to as simply "Tarantula" in the commercial advertising his toy. This commercial and also early promotional pictures showed the original Tarantulas toy as being transparent orange, but the final toy was a clear deep purple instead. Presumably, this was for a little visual variety in the early line, which already had a largely tan toy (Dinobot) and a largely yellow toy (Cheetor) in the Deluxe range, plus a Mega-sized Predacon arachnid then planned to be orange (Scorponok), and Tigatron, who was at one point slated to be a traditional orange tiger.
• In the original control art for Tarantulas, the claws are shown in the same configuration as used in the show. In other words, the claws were somehow swapped during the assembly process and have remained as such on every version of the mold thereafter.
• The original Hasbro Beast Wars packaging art for Tarantulas depicts him with his mutant mask on; his later redeco Blackarachnia was drawn with the mask off, likely for a distinctive contrast. Wolfang and K-9 as well as Waspinator and Buzz Saw share this status.
• According to Mark Maher on Instagram, the Tarantulas figure from the Legacy four pack doubles as the troop builder "Tyrantulas," a drone created by the original Tarantulas. Though the outer packaging used the usual spelling, the instructions sheet used "Tyrantulas." ^[4]

Gallery

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  Beast Wars control art

• 

  Transmetal control art

• 

  Timelines concept deco

References